Heart virus caused pitcher's death

Updated: Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 11:06 AM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Jun 2009, 11:06 AM CDT

KENOSHA (AP) - The Kenosha County medical examiner has determined the death of a standout athlete was caused by a virus that attacked his heart.

Eighteen-year-old Sam Schissel was a scholarship pitcher who helped his Bradford High School baseball team to a state title last year.

Medical examiner Mark Witeck says although Schissel had seen a doctor just a day before his death, the virus would have been difficult to detect.

Schissel reportedly suffered from flu-like symptoms before he was found unresponsive at his family's home in Somers Saturday and was rushed to Kenosha Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

His father, Jim Schissel, says his son went into cardiac arrest.

A funeral service will be held Thursday at the Kenosha Bradford High School auditorium.

Comments that are derogatory, attack other users, offer unsubstantiated facts, use foul language or are offensive in nature can and will be removed as defined by the Terms of Service. FOX 11 is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report."